West Bridgewater Man Accused Of Killing Elderly Woman With Log

WEST BRIDGEWATER (CBS) – A West Bridgewater man has been charged with the brutal murder of an elderly woman.

Police were called to 72-year-old Julia Fernandes’ home on Columbus Avenue Sunday evening for a well-being check and found her dead.

“She was found to have been bludgeoned to death about the head. At this time, we believe the murder weapon was a fireplace log,” Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz told reporters at a news conference late Monday morning.

Neighbors said Fernandes was friendly but mostly kept to herself. Lopes was also familiar to neighbors.

Police blocked off Columbus Avenue in West Bridgewater early Monday morning. (WBZ-TV)

Investigators put out an alert for Danny Lopes, 34, and found him early Monday morning in North Providence, Rhode Island, where he was arrested. He waived rendition and will be returning to Massachusetts in the next few days.

There’s no word yet on a motive.

Danny Lopes, Jr. (Photo credit: West Bridgewater Police)

Fernandes was the girlfriend of Lopes’s late father. They all sometimes lived together in Columbus Avenue home.

Police Chief Vic Flaherty said they have had “interactions” with Lopes in the past, but he would not elaborate.